Date: 19 April 2015 Times Telegraph Echo 192015 April Opposition: Aston Villa Guardian Mirror Birmingham Mail

Competition: FA Cup Independent Mail BBC

Liverpool cup fairytale left in ruins by Villa Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph ruins Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool FA Cup Aston Villa 2 Benteke 36, Delph 54 dream Liverpool 1 Referee M Oliver Attendance 85,416 There has been no magic wand, said last night, lamenting the time The restorative powers of Tim Sherwood know no bounds. A first FA Cup final in 15 years awaits Aston Villa after a team invigorated by the arrival of its new taken to make the desired impact as Aston Villa manager. Try telling Villa's manager two months ago incinerated the script of Steven Gerrard’s dream jubilant supporters that. They had just reached their first FA Cup final since 2000 farewell to Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers was left rummaging for answers amid the and were dreaming of winning the trophy for the first time since 1957. In barely ashes. Villa may have edged away from danger in the since nine weeks since Sherwood took charge, a depressed club has been reinvigorated. Inspired by the energy of Fabian Delph and the poise of young Jack Grealish in Sherwood breezed into in February but they were relegated to a sideshow in the build-up to this FA Cup semi-final by the focus on Gerrard’s so- midfield, Villa fully deserved a victory that will bring them back to Wembley called date with destiny on 30 May. A Wembley showpiece on the occasion of Stadium to take on Arsenal in the final on May 30. While Steven Gerrard's dreams the Liverpoolcaptain’s 35th birthday, bidding adieu to a glittering career with of an FA Cup final farewell from Liverpool -- a Hollywood ending, on his 35th birthday, before he departs for LA Galaxy -- ended in bitter disappointment, Villa's another piece of silverware; it seemed pre-ordained. fans will see no shortage of romance in their overdue resurgence after the Instead, Liverpool froze, Rodgers was tactically outwitted by the Villa manager and Fabian Delph plus Jack Grealish were the outstanding midfielders on display. stagnation of recent years. Tenacious, focused, energetic and purposeful, Villa Sherwood’s side drove into the final against Arsenal with a confident, energetic were everything their opponents were not. This was a wretched afternoon for and stylish performance, a perfectly executed gameplan and the club’s first FA Gerrard and for Liverpool, whose manager, Brendan Rodgers, admitted this was nothing like the first time his team had "come up short" when it really mattered, Cup win over Liverpool since the semi-final of 1897. Ron Vlaar shone amid a disrupted defence and Christian Benteke continued his prolific form with a ninth when the stakes were highest. goal in his last seven outings. Delph’s winner early in the second half was Nobody could accuse Villa of that. So listless in the final months of 's deserved on an individual and collective basis. tenure -- so listless ever since Martin O'Neill departed in the summer of 2010, in By contrast, Liverpool were subdued and anonymous until stirring late on when fact -- they have been reenergised under Sherwood. They looked the more confident, assured team even before , with the help of a Gerrard had a header cleared off the line by Kieran Richardson and substitute Mario Balotelli had a goal disallowed for an incorrect offside decision. Rodgers deflection off Jones Okore, put Liverpool ahead on the half-hour. Undeterred, was submerged in a tactical mess of his own making, ripping up his starting they prevailed through goals from Christian Benteke and Delph, with Grealish formation after only 25 minutes, changing his forward line at half-time and ending involved on both occasions. There is no rocket science behind Villa's the game with almost every outfield Liverpool player in a different position to improvement. Sherwood has merely injected some much-needed belief and energy into a squad that has been drifting towards relegation from the Barclays where they started. It was clarity versus confusion, and clarity inevitably won. Rodgers is now the first Liverpool manager since Phil Taylor in the 1950s not to Premier League. Belief and energy can take a team a long way. win a trophy in his first three seasons at and the scrutiny will be intense if, Rodgers, by contrast, spent almost the entire afternoon trying to find ways to as appears likely, Champions League qualification remains out of reach this change a game plan that, whatever he tried, appeared to play into Villa's hands. season. But for a brief spell that yielded the opening goal for Philippe Coutinho, Explaining the changes -- from 3-4-2-1 to various manifestations of 4-3-3 and finally to 4-4-2 -- he spoke of his desperation to "spark some energy and flow into the 25 points and 10 places that separated the semi-finalists in the Premier League appeared an illusion. Villa’s front three pressed to the same telling effect our game", saying his team had been "too passive". The diagnosis was spot-on, as Manchester United and Arsenal had done in recent league wins over Liverpool. but no remedy stopped the malaise. Sherwood suggested afterwards that “We knew we’d cause Liverpool problems if we played with two No10s,” said Liverpool's reshuffles had held little interest to him. Attitude matters more to him Sherwood, who also tellingly admitted he “wasn’t bothered” about what Rodgers’ than strategy. Yesterday offered a perfect illustration why. In the absence of the injured , he chose to play Charles N'Zogbia and Grealish in team intended to do as an attacking threat. In the event, it was minimal, with Balotelli posing more problems in a 45-minute substitute’s appearance than advanced roles behind Benteke, suggesting that this would trouble Liverpool's anyone else in yellow. three-man defence. Since it was all going so well, he was not about to change the Sherwood suffered disruption before and during the tie with Gabriel Agbonlahor system just because Rodgers had made changes. Villa were the more impressive from the start, with N'Zogbia forcing Simon failing to recover from a hamstring injury sustained the previous weekend at Tottenham Hotspur. The liberating effect of that 1-0 win at Mignolet into an awkward save, at full stretch. resonated at Wembley. In the absence of Agbonlahor, Grealish and Charles Briefly, Liverpool took control, exploiting Villa's unease as they adjusted to their N’Zogbia complemented the power of Benteke with tireless, creative own reshuffle, forced by an injury to Nathan Baker. Okore, his replacement, did performances in attack. The 19-year-old Grealish in particular relished the well to tackle Jordan Henderson in the penalty area, but he was too casual in passing the ball to Delph, who was similarly guilty as he dawdled into Joe Allen's occasion, driving at Emre Can throughout and posing a constant threat around the Liverpool area. No wonder the England Under-21 head coach, Gareth Southgate, challenge. From there it was Allen to Raheem Sterling, whose carefully weighted is trying to test the youngster’s allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. pass was controlled delightfully by Coutinho on his way into the penalty area produced the first save of the game from N’Zogbia and it required before his shot was deflected in by Okore. You might have thought that the goal a vital interception from Dejan Lovren to prevent the French midfielder releasing would stabilise Liverpool and deflate Villa. It did neither, thanks in part to Delph, who soon put the aberration behind him. Within six minutes Villa were level. Benteke clean through on goal. All Liverpool had to offer in the opening 25 minutes was an optimistic penalty claim. Delph caught Raheem Sterling’s heel as Again they came down the left-hand side, as Delph exchanged passes with the 20-year-old, initially leading his side’s attack in place of the absent and Grealish and continued his run into the penalty area. With Liverpool's defence unreliable Daniel Sturridge, raced into the area. Referee Michael Oliver was stretched, Delph picked out Benteke, whose side-foot shot had just enough power rightly unmoved. It took another injury blow for Villa plus a necessary tactical to beat Mignolet. Liverpool had a brief flurry before the interval -- a shot by Coutinho deflected wide, a header by Dejan Lovren wide from Gerrard's corner -- switch from Rodgers to inject menace into Liverpool’s performance. Nathan Baker’s first start since January – in place of the injured Ciaran Clark – ended with but, with Sterling struggling to escape the shadow of Ron Vlaar, their lack of a a recurrence of a serious knee injury in the 25th minute. Jores Okore entered the focal point in attack was a serious concern to Rodgers The introduction of Mario fray as Rodgers abandoned his three-man defence, and the experiment of Gerrard Balotelli meant a 4-3-3 formation, with Gerrard back in the anchor role in operating anonymously behind Sterling, to go to 4-3-3. Suddenly Liverpool had midfield. Still Villa had more joy with Plan A. Nine minutes into the second half, Delph released Benteke, who, pushed wide, played a back-heel into the path of the impetus and the lead. Coutinho had been the driving force behind Liverpool’s run to the semi-final and Grealish, who sent Delph into the penalty area. Delph cut inside feeble challenges started the move by picking out Jordan Henderson’s run into the penalty area. from Emre Can and Lovren and threaded a shot past Mignolet to put Villa 2-1 up. The midfielder’s cross should have been routine for Okore but Villa’s fourth- Villa threatened a third goal soon afterwards. This time Grealish was the one breaking from midfield, but, when the ball ran loose, Kieran Richardson wasted choice centre-half dwelt too long on the ball, Delph was also unable to clear, and the opportunity. Liverpool regained possession on the edge of the box. Sterling switched the play into Coutinho’s darting run and the Brazilian, under pressure from three Villa It was not until the final ten minutes that Liverpool hinted at an equaliser. defenders, tucked a shot beyond Shay Given via Okore’s right knee. Gerrard, dropping deeper with every tactical change, had made little impact in Villa’s momentum and belief, however, could not be checked and they were level any of his roles, but, perhaps inevitably, he began to come to the fore as his and Liverpool's desperation grew in the closing stages. With four minutes remaining, within six minutes. Having sprinted down the left before exchanging passes with Grealish, Delph delivered an inviting pass into Benteke lurking with intent just from a corner by Coutinho, his header beat Shay Given, but Richardson denied inside the Liverpool area. The Belgium international stroked a confident finish out him with a goalline clearance. Two minutes later, from Gerrard's pass, Balotelli of Mignolet’s reach. Rodgers introduced Balotelli at the interval but the flow of put the ball in the net, but was flagged offside -- wrongly, it transpired. the game remained unchecked. Alarmingly for the Liverpool manager, his team’s On another day, a beaten manager might have used such an error as a straw to clutch. Rodgers was not in the mood. "The best team won," defending deteriorated and Delph took full advantage to put Villa ahead with a fine team goal. The Villa captain broke from the centre circle and found Benteke, the Liverpool manager said. Sherwood agreed -- and quite right too. whose back-heel found Grealish – who spotted that Delph had continued his run

into the area. Collecting Grealish’s measured pass, Delph cut back inside the flat-

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 19 April 2015 Times Telegraph Echo 192015 April Opposition: Aston Villa Guardian Mirror Birmingham Mail

Competition: FA Cup Independent Mail BBC footed Lovren and Can before beating Mignolet from close range. teenager made impressive choices. When many his age would have elected to Liverpool’s response was minimal until the final 10 minutes. Lovren put a free shoot, Grealish instead saw the bigger picture. He slipped the ball to Delph who header over from Gerrard’s corner, Richardson denied the Liverpool captain’s cut inside two men and finished sharply past Simon Mignolet. Had Nottingham header from a Coutinho corner and then came the game’s controversy when Forest not been subject to a transfer embargo, Grealish might have been playing Balotelli collected Gerrard’s raking pass and beat Given only for an errant offside in the Championship this weekend, loaned out by former boss Paul Lambert to decision to curtail the celebrations. Seconds later, Liverpool were on their knees gain experience. s wy Instead, under Sherwood, he has been promoted -- and and out. could now play at Wembley twice in as many months. He has represented the Man of the match: Fabian Delph (Aston Villa) Republic of Ireland, the country of his grandparents, at Under 21 level but his ambitions are said to f l include playing for the country of his birth. At least he is going to be familiar with their home ground. As for Liverpool and Rodgers, it is uphill from here to catch Manchester City in the SHERWOOD THE MAN WHO WRITES FAIRYTALES Premier League. Rodgers is now the first Liverpool manager since Phil Taylor in ASTON VILLA 2 Benteke 36 Delph 54 LIVERPOOL 1 Coutinho 30 1959 to go three years without winning a trophy. Most who fail are dismissed by PARTISAN emotions aside, it was a great day -- for Aston Villa, for Tim Sherwood, this stage. Liverpool are right to stand by him, but this was an opportunity missed, for the FA Cup and, in its own way, for English football, too. and Rodgers' face at the end suggested he knew it. Here was another match that demonstrated the young talent produced in England is good enough, if only it is given the chance. The worry is that these players all seem to get their opportunity from the same man. After Harry Kane at Tottenham, Sherwood has now promoted the cause of 19- Sherwood feels the love as Villa end long wait year-old Jack Grealish. Cup success runs in the family for young Jack. His great- Aston Villa 2 Benteke 36, Delph 54 Liverpool 1 Coutinho 30 Att: 85,416 great grandfather Billy Garraty was man of the match when Aston Villa beat Tim Sherwood was appointed Aston Villa manager on Valentine's Day and his love Newcastle to the FA Cup in 1905. Back then, the final was played at Crystal Palace. affair with his new club intensifies by the day, now including the romance of the Grealish grew up with Garraty's photograph on the wall and the dream he might Cup. As the final whistle confirmed Villa's place in the May 30 FA Cup final against one day emulate him. At the Villa being built by Sherwood, he will surely get his Arsenal, Sherwood took off down the touchline, punching the air and beaming at chance. With Gabriel Agbonlahor unfit, Villa's manager had a few options. He those ecstatic fans wildly shaking their "fight like lions" banners. didn't have to select the teenager who started his first Premier League game 13 What was considered a gamble by Villa on Feb 14 looks inspired now. Sherwood is days ago. He could have played it safe. But that is not Sherwood's way. Good slowly steering Villa away from the threat of relegation, they are playing with enough, old enough, is his motto -- and Grealish was both. It was a toss-up more belief and verve, Christian Benteke is transformed, Jack Grealish is a between him and Fabian Delph for man of the match and when Grealish was revelation and they have just beaten Liverpool in the FA Cup for the first time replaced by with seven minutes to go, it was to a justified ovation. since Oscar Wilde was being released from Reading Gaol and Bram Stoker was Grealish had a hand in both goals and was the pick of the youth on display. penning Dracula. That, too, was a semi-final victory (at Bramall Lane) in 1897 and Raheem Sterling, eyeing bigger fish than Liverpool, may wish to gather his focus. Villa went on to win the final, vanquishing Everton 3-2 to clinch the Double. Since By comparison, he was anonymous. YES, Villa rode their luck on occasions. Delph then Villa had lost to Liverpool six times in the Cup, without even registering a may have given away a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Sterling in the first half, goal, but not now, not on Sherwood's watch. He was ripping up the history books. and in the second Mario Balotelli had the ball in the net only to be wrongly ruled Villa had not reached the FA Cup final since 2000, and not won it since 1957. No offside. The best team still won, and this grand competition will welcome Villa to wonder Sherwood sprinted off towards the Villa end as Michael Oliver concluded the final for the first time in 15 years. Villa last got their hands on the trophy in activities. A highly demonstrative character, Sherwood could not hold the 1957. It is good to have new blood in the final. How did they do it? Basically, Villa emotion in any longer. He had stayed calm during the 90 minutes, eschewing knew what they were about, Liverpool did not. Liverpool switched from a back celebrations, focusing on making the right changes at the right time. Some three to a back four, brought Balotelli on at half-time, packed five in midfield. changes were enforced, such as sending on Jores Okore for the injured Nathan Not even the decision to select the warrior Steven Gerrard paid off. Baker while others were tactical such as Scott Sinclair replacing Charles N'Zogbia Brendan Rodgers went with his talismanic captain -- as most would -- yet and Joe Cole coming on for the outstanding but tiring Grealish. It also slowed the Gerrard's Roy of the Rovers moments are becoming few and far between. Late in game just as Liverpool were finally starting to build some momentum late on. the game he stood over a free-kick from his favourite range, and planted it In the other dug-out, Brendan Rodgers had kept tweaking his team, dropping the straight into the arms of Shay Given. Another shot went massively wide. He had a wing-backs, going to a back-four, sending on more strikers, withdrawing Steven header from a Philippe Coutinho corner with four minutes to go but Kieran Gerrard deep, but none of the Liverpool manager's alterations worked. Rodgers Richardson was equal to it on the line. At the end, Tom Cleverley, his former was outwitted by Sherwood. No wonder the Villa manager celebrated England team-mate, was the first to console him -- but there will be no Wembley passionately afterwards. Sherwood not only got his tactics and substitutions right; farewell to cap Gerrard's career in England. The best he can hope for is to he also got the mood right. Villa showed more desire than Liverpool. His team drag Liverpool into the Champions League places -- except it is out of Liverpool's were shorn of the injured Gabby Agbonlahor, were the 9/2 underdogs and billed hands if Manchester City keep winning, and he doesn't often make the team in as the supporting cast in the great Steven Gerrard farewell drama but they ran league matches. It is a pity for it to end this way: Gerrard hasn't really dealt in more, wanted it more. Rodgers, perhaps diplomatically, described Gerrard as anti-climaxes for Liverpool. Yet if there is not to be a Gerrard fairytale, the one "excellent". Gerrard's mind may be willing but the legs are weak and his last game enveloping Aston Villa will do as back-up. in English football will not be the Cup final on his 35th birthday before he departs Here was a team, threatened with relegation when Sherwood took charge -- and for LA Galaxy. Not every Hollywood script has a fairytale ending. not out of the woods yet -- that will return to Wembley next month in the FA Cup One of the players who has bene-fited most from Gerrard's England retirement, final. Had the rules not changed to stop the runners-up qualifying, they would Fabian Delph, took a wrecking ball to the Merseysider's farewell dream. Delph already be in Europe. As it is, Hull City -- beaten by Arsenal a year ago -- will be the was outstanding, he never stopped running until Oliver's last blast, creating last to have that privilege. Aston Villa will have to win to make it to the Europa Benteke's equaliser riposte to Philippe Coutinho's opener, and then striking the League, but if they play like this, and Arsenal play as they did against Reading on second-half winner. Grealish provided the assist with a sangfroid that belied his Saturday, then don't bet against it. Villa are a handful, with the mighty Christian teenaged years. Villa fans have long known about Grealish's rich promise. Now Benteke among a number revitalised by Sherwood's stewardship. the whole country knows. was watching, Gareth Southgate has Liverpool's opening goal, after 30 minutes, if not exactly against the run of play, already been to see Grealish at Bodymoor Heath, and the tug of war between was a decent return on minimal investment. It started and finished with Coutinho England and the Republic of Ireland over the No 10 with No 40 on his back has -- who had a poor game otherwise, particularly with his passing -- and was helped moved up a gear. The oft-maligned Tom Cleverley played an important, by a fortuitous deflection. It was Coutinho's ball to Jordan Henderson that forced unheralded role, working overtime in midfield closingLiverpool players down, not Villa into a hurried rearguard action, first Jores Okore and then Delph failing to allowing Gerrard and company to settle. On the eve of his 39th birthday, Shay adequately clear. The ball came out to Gerrard who moved it on to Sterling, who Given was a rock of ages, having no chance with Coutinho's deflected strike but just as quickly fed it to Coutinho, now arriving in the box with a late run. His shot otherwise unyielding, including a save from a Gerrard freekick. looked to be travelling wide, but clipped Okore and defeated Given in the Villa As good as Villa were, Liverpool were poor, lacking a cutting edge with Raheem goal. One feared for Villa if Liverpool were allowed to relax and settle, but Sterling struggling to find space, then Mario Balotelli coming on and failing to Sherwood (below) has long said his team is better suited to Europa League trouble Given. The Italian was unfortunate to be ruled offside when through but contention than a relegation scrap and so it proved. They looked at home at Villa defenders looked to have stopped anyway, having spotted John Brooks's Wembley, were every bit as technically adept as Liverpool, bit back within six flag. Rickie Lambert came on to little effect. minutes and the game was on. Delph did the work, bursting through a group of As well as confirming that Emre Can is a midfielder not a defender, Wembley three Liverpool players, and exchanging a onetwo with Grealish before crossing highlighted that Rodgers needs to strengthen substantially and more judiciously in for Benteke. The striker's well-taken finish silenced the red half of Wembley. They the summer, attracting better players than during the last close season. looked worried, as well they should have been; Villa were now the more Yet Liverpool are likely to be out of the Champions League with doubts deepening enterprising side. In the second half, as Liverpool packed the midfield to deal with over the future of Sterling, their most prized asset. Potential buys need to be this threat, it was Villa who sensed an opening, in a move that owed everything to shown signs of Liverpool's ambition. Rodgers is a good manager, who has lost Luis the perseverance of captain Delph and the wit of Grealish. Delph collected the Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge to frequent injury, but he needs the ball in the centre and fed Benteke, who passed it on to Grealish. Here, the

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 19 April 2015 Times Telegraph Echo 192015 April Opposition: Aston Villa Guardian Mirror Birmingham Mail

Competition: FA Cup Independent Mail BBC

American co-owners to invest heavily in July. They will be underdogs again when they play Arsenal but at least Villa have some Villa's American owner, Randy Lerner, is seeking to sell the club which seems reason to hope after what once threatened to be the most moribund of seasons bizarre when the broadcasting revenue increases and when Villa enjoy days such under Paul Lambert. They have won the FA Cup seven times in their history but as this with 30,000-plus fans forming mosaics and screaming their support. only twice in the last hundred years and 1957 was the last time. Since that In the build-up, Villa fans had been forced to endure all the stories about this monumental 1982 European Cup triumph they have won just two League Cups, in being Gerrard's day. Making his 36th appearance at Wembley, Gerrard returned 1994 and 1996. A trophy has been a long time coming. Sherwood’s side were to the Liverpool starting line-up, taking the armband from Jordan Henderson, and magnificent at times, controlling possession and moving the ball quickly to taking some boos from the Villa fans who had neither forgotten nor forgiven a Benteke whenever possible. In midfield, Grealish glided with the ball at his feet dive of his in front of the Holte End. After surviving an early scare when N'Zogbia and demanded it from team-mates at all times. Despite not being over-blessed forced Simon Mignolet into a tip-over save, Gerrard's team took the lead on the with pace or strength, this young man always seems to have time to spare on the half-hour. Coutinho ushered Henderson into the box but Villa managed to regain ball. The Liverpool goal came in a window of pressure for Rodgers’ team around the ball. The clearance from Okore was poor, and Delph also failed to rectify the the half hour mark. Coutinho started the move which neither Jonas Okore, on for damage. Sterling swiftly worked the ball into Coutinho, whose shot took a Baker, nor Delph cleared. The ball came back from Joe Allen to Sterling to deflection off Okore's knee and continued past Given. Villa responded superbly, Coutinho who darted into the Villa box and slipped the ball past Given with what equalising within six minutes. Delph was the architect, driving forward down the looked like a slight deflection on the shot.f By then, Liverpool had switched to left, linking with Grealish, and taking the return. His left-footed cross on the run four at the back with Emre Can at right-back and Gerrard pushed forward. In the picked out Benteke, who struck his ninth goal in seven matches. Villa fans were second half the Liverpool captain would be moved back into the deepest holding loving it, wafting their claret-and-blue balloons into the air, and waving their midfield position. Villa’s equaliser began with a throw-in on the left wing which banners, one of which read "Villa, Stella, Balti". Their team were being fuelled Delph carried forward and played to Grealish inside him. From then it went swiftly more by pride and adrenalin, none more so than Grealish, whose adhesiveness of back to the overlapping Delph who crossed first time for Benteke to guide the ball touch had Sherwood applauding at one point. For a player of 19 years, Grealish past Simon Mignolet. In response, Rodgers moved his team around with Gerrard, exuded a real maturity, taking the occasion in his stride. It must run in the family; a marginalised figure in the first half, pushed back to sit in front of the defence. As his great-greatgrandfather Billy Garraty starred when Villa overcame Newcastle time ticked down on Liverpool, the paucity of Rodgers’ options was clear, and so United in the 1905 FA Cup final. Nine minutes into the second half, Grealish too his lack of trust in them. The striker Rickie Lambert did not come on until the awaited the right moment to release the ball in to Delph, who cut inside Dejan 90th minute. Delph’s winner was another beauty, with Benteke and then Grealish Lovren and shot past Mignolet. Liverpool sought to revive. Coutinho curled in a working the ball through Liverpool before the England midfielder doubled back corner that Gerrard met with a powerful header but Kieran Richardson cleared off past Dejan Lovren and slipped the ball past Mignolet. The game a just seemed to the line. Sterling, Balotelli and Lovren wasted efforts. Sherwood was off and pass by Liverpool with Rodgers left to wonder why his team had resorted to running. Gerrard's dream was over. Villa's lives on. “kicking it long” to Sterling. A boyhood Arsenal fan, Sherwood now faces the club at Wembley with the possibility of a trophy, a most improbable outcome for Villa given the depths they have plumbed at times this season. It was Liverpool who began in August with such high hopes but they looked a long way distant on this afternoon. Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph turn FA Cup semi-final and end Steven Gerrard dream There was a late free-kick this afternoon that promised one last great Steven Gerrard intervention in the history of English football - one last swish of his right NO MORE MIRACLES; Gerrard's Wembley farewell falls flat as awesome boot to rescue the game, to break the hearts of the opposition and change the Delph helps Villa gatecrash the party course of the FA Cup. When the Liverpool captain could only clip it harmlessly into ASTON VILLA 2 Benteke 36, Delph 54 LIVERPOOL 1 Coutinho 30 the hands of Shay Given you could tell that the game was up. Gerrard’s 35th FOR 86 minutes, it appeared as though Steven Gerrard was more than ready for birthday famously coincides with the FA Cup final on 30 May but there will be no his lucrative knacker's yard in the Californian sunset. As a gripping FA Cup semi- finale in the final, no further heroics - at Wembley at least. It is testament to the final passed him by - with rival captain Fabian Delph doing a passable impression personal history of the man that the expectation was that, even in his veteran of a vintage Gerrard - the seniors tour of Major League Soccer was all years, and coming back from a three-match suspension, he might do something the Liverpool skipper looked good for. In his first start for more than two months, monumental in this FA Cup semi-final. As it was, time looked to have crept up on and on his first appearance since that 39-second red card cameo against Gerrard as he found himself besieged by a brilliant Aston Villa performance and Manchester United, Gerrard was notable only for his lack of match sharpness and the likes of Fabian Delph and Jack Grealish in particular. It will not have helped the wastefulness of his setpiece delivery. that this was just his first full game since 16 March, aside from the 48 seconds Yet in the final four minutes, Gerrard came agonisingly close to keeping alive his against Manchester United, but it did not look like much fun out there for the hopes of an FA Cup Final swansong on his 35th birthday. First he saw a header Liverpool captain, and even less so for Brendan Rodgers. cleared off the line by Kieran Richardson and then his cutting pass teed up Mario Gerrard can bid farewell to a fine Liverpool career come May, but the club and Balotelli for an effort that was wrongly disallowed for offside. In truth, this man the manager he leaves behind has more profound questions to answer. Rodgers used up his fair share of miracles about a decade ago, in Istanbul and in . was unsparing of his team afterwards, criticising their lack of energy and guile Fairytales have been scarce of late - from the title-blowing slip against Chelsea, to against an Aston Villa side who controlled the game, but he will also have to face captaining England's worst World Cup finals performance, to being axed for a up to the reality that he lost the battle of managerial minds. Champions League tie in the Bernabeu, right up to the moment he sank to his Step forward, Tim Sherwood, formerly a columnist on these pages and a man haunches in the Wembley centre circle at the final whistle yesterday. whose “Tactics Tim” sobriquet during his first managerial spell last season at Knowing full well he would never return to the hallowed turf for a competitive Tottenham was not conceived as a compliment. This time, however, Sherwood match again. With Lucas injured, it was tough to argue that Brendan Rodgers had called it exactly right with a plan he explained afterwards of two playmakers in made a sentimental choice in starting with Gerrard. Grealish and Charles N’Zogbia who passed the ball through Liverpool and secured Nor even that he had lacked the courage NOT to pick the talismanic Scouser. a place in the FA Cup final against Arsenal next month. It had been understandable, given the way Liverpool have shrunk in several of From Christian Benteke there was another powerful demonstration of the centre- their biggest matches this season, but Gerrard is no longer capable of seizing a forward’s art and it was the Belgian who scored the equaliser six minutes after major occasion by the throat. Aston Villa were the better team, with their Philippe Coutinho had given Liverpool an improbable lead. The best player on the exemplary skipper Delph inspiring his men as Gerrard once had - creating pitch, Delph, scored what turned out to be the winner from a Grealish pass on 54 Christian Benteke's equaliser and scoring the winner himself. minutes and there was not much that Liverpool could offer in response. Tim Sherwood could barely have energised his new squad more effectively had he Rodgers changed the formation from three in defence to a more orthodox four fitted electrodes to their testicles. This is a club transformed since the moribund early in the game and said afterwards it was a switch he had made before. He fag-end days of Paul Lambert's reign. Villa have not won the FA Cup since the brought Mario Balotelli on at half-time for the woeful Lazar Markovic but, aside Busby Babes were defeated 58 years ago - but they will fancy themselves against from one offside decision that went against the striker, he looked yet again that Arsenal next month. Sherwood's players will tell you they fancy themselves he would be the last man to rescue Liverpool from their predicament. against anyone just now. They almost fancy themselves as much as their manager Rodgers’ team might yet push Manchester City for the final Champions League fancies himself. Sherwood has his own trumpet and is not shy of blowing it, place although that looks less likely after the latter beat West Ham. Otherwise, insisting Rodgers had been tactically bamboozled. this semi-final was an unwelcome reminder of the shortcomings that plagued He will relish strutting up Wembley Way again for next month's final with a flower Liverpool in the early part of their season. Daniel Sturridge was injured once in the buttonhole of his gilet. Benteke (right) has netted nine goals in seven again, and without him Liverpool lacked any kind of bite in attack. matches now, Delph looks like a Champions League player, while the teenage Jack Even with a Villa defence that lost yet another defender to injury early on, Nathan Grealish - a local kid who looked like he was risking a detention for forgetting his Baker this time, there was precious little threat from Liverpool for whom Raheem shinpads, is the latest youngster Sherwood will be keen to take credit for. Sterling was quiet. Gerrard’s header was cleared off the line by Kieran Richardson At the other end of the age spectrum, Shay Given - 39 today - is ready for his near the end but otherwise you were struck by how comfortable Villa made it second FA Cup Final appearance. The first was 17 years ago, when Grealish was in look. nappies.

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 19 April 2015 Times Telegraph Echo 192015 April Opposition: Aston Villa Guardian Mirror Birmingham Mail

Competition: FA Cup Independent Mail BBC

Villa had started brightly - Charlie N'Zogbia forcing an athletic save from Simon Ultimately, though, Liverpool deserved what they got. Nothing. Mignolet only for Liverpool to strike Sf on the half-hour. ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Given; Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker (Okore 26), Richardson; Delph, Jores Okore, an early substitute for the injured Nathan Baker, was caught Westwood, Cleverley; N'Zogbia (Sinclair 75), Benteke, Grealish (Cole 83). Subs: dawdling on the edge of his own box and, after a cute Raheem Sterling pass had Guzan, Weimann, Lowton, Gil. BOOKING: Delph (foul). freed Philippe Coutinho, the Brazilian's shot deflected in off Okore's knee. Yet LIVERPOOL (3-4-2-1): Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Lovren; Markovic (Balotelli 46), within six minutes, Villa were level. Delph surged forward, exchanged passes with Henderson, Allen (Johnson 77), Moreno (Lambert 90); Gerrard, Coutinho; Sterling. Grealish and cut the ball back for Benteke to drill one. Subs: Jones, Toure, Manquillo, Borini. At half-time, Rodgers sent on Balotelli and switched to a back four - but it was REFEREE: Michael Oliver. Villa who scored nine minutes later. Grealish picked out Delph, who slipped ATT: 85,416. between Dejan Lovren and Emre Can to slot home the winner. Villa could have sealed it long before Gerrard's late rally - Richardson was wildly off target then Leandro Bacuna wasted a three-against-two situation on the BIRMINGHAM MAIL break. Gerrard was left virtually on his knees, staring into space, contemplating Fearless and fired-up Aston Villa are in the FA Cup Final after beating Liverpool 2-1 his semi-retirement in Tinseltown and ruing what might have been. at Wembley. For far too many years the claret and blues have failed to turn up at the national stadium but today they made amends with a classy and, at times, courageous display. Tim Sherwood’s men went behind when Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring on 30 minutes but Christian Benteke maintained his hot streak to level soon after. Captain Fabian Delph got the winning goal after the break and man-of-the-match Reds suffer FA Cup heartbreak at Wembley Jack Grealish celebrated as if they lifted the trophy there and then. No fairytale farewell. No silver lining for a difficult season. No rescue act. Wild scenes followed in the claret and blue section when the final whistle was blown. And, above all, simply no excuses. Liverpool's hopes of FA Cup glory were dashed in dismal fashion as they Tim Sherwood jumped with joy, Villa’s stars dropped to the floor in disbelief and capitulated to a 2-1 defeat against relegation-threatened Aston Villa at Wembley. Liverpool watched on in agony. Not even Philippe Coutinho's opener on the half-hour could lift Brendan Rodgers' All that was missing was a podium and fireworks but maybe Villa will see that next side out of their stupor as the Anfield side, lethargic and second-best from the month. Tackles flew in early from both sides but it was Villa who looked more composed first whistle, surrendered meekly. Christian Benteke struck his customary goal against the Reds six minutes later before, nine minutes into the second half, throughout. Fabian Delph capitalised on sloppy defending to notch the winner. They were the better side and the deserved winners. Now they must do it all The defeat will pose familiar questions over Liverpool's lack of mental strength in again to see off Arsenal in May. the biggest matches having failed in similarly embarrassing fashion against both First to test Simon Mignolet was Charles N’Zogbia as the Frenchman interchanged well with Benteke up front in the absence of the injured Gabby Agbonlahor. Manchester United and Arsenal in recent weeks. And it ended the dream of Steven Gerrard signing off his Liverpool career by lifting the FA Cup here on his When Nathan Baker departed on 24 minutes with a knee injury, Villa struggled to birthday on May 30. Gerrard, like every other Liverpool player, was way below his find their shape and were exposed after Jores Okore failed to clear the danger. best as Rodgers twice switched formation only to be continually outfoxed by Villa Liverpool took full advantage to break the deadlock. Raheem Sterling slipped in counterpart Tim Sherwood. What will hurt Liverpool fans most is it was clear Villa Coutinho and the Brazilian coolly finished past Shay Given. wanted it more. They had the greater hunger and desire. By contrast, Rodgers' In some ways it was a well-worked goal from the Reds but Villa really shouldn’t men – even accounting for the lengthy absentee list – appeared to freeze once have allowed it. more. That is a major, major worry for a team harbouring ambitions of winning Fortunately under Sherwood this side will never wilt. silverware. Now the Reds must concentrate on the unlikely event of chasing down The reply, which came six minutes after the opener was of pure brilliance. a Champions League berth. Grealish, who starred, combined superbly with Delph down the left. Injuries and ineligibility meant Liverpool's team largely picked itself. The skipper got the move started and then found Benteke on the edge of the Joining Daniel Sturridge, , Adam Lallana and the cup-tied Jordon area. From then there was only ever going to be one outcome as the in-form Ibe on the sidelines was the desperately unlucky Lucas Leiva, the Brazilian still Belgian steered past his fellow countryman to level the scores. awaiting his Wembley bow after suffering a thigh injury during training. Benteke’s finish was exquisite and his celebration proved how much it meant to him. It meant an instant recall for skipper Gerrard who, like Martin Skrtel, returned after serving a three-match suspension. In the build-up to the game the hitman promised that he would score at Wembley Rodgers' most pressing decision was to revert to a back three with Lazar Markovic and he failed to disappoint. preferred to Glen Johnson at right wing-back. After a tentative opening, There’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence and Benteke has nailed it. Liverpool's first glimmer of an opening fell to Joe Allen in the seventh minute but A man not shy of self-belief himself is Mario Balotelli. The Italian replaced Lazar Markovic at the break as Brendan Rodgers looked for a spark up front. It never his shot from a Coutinho cutback was far too high. Villa, though, settled much the quicker and grasped the early initiative, Simon Mignolet at full strength to turn came. over an ambitious Charles N'Zogbia shot from range. Liverpool were grateful to Instead it was Benteke who continued to shine. When Ron Vlaar played in Leandro Bacuna down the right the Dutchman Dejan Lovren on 16 minutes when the Croatian stuck out a leg to prevent N'Zogbia playing Benteke clear on goal. Raheem Sterling had a hopeful claim for a immediately looked for the striker. Lurking on the edge of the penalty area, he met the cross with a thumping side- penalty turned away after being clipped by Delph before Villa lost Nathan Baker midway through the half after the centre-back landed awkwardly following an footed effort but a deflection took the sting out of it and Mignolet easily aerial challenge, replaced by Jores Okore. By then, Rodgers had seen enough, collected. switching to a flat back four in an attempt to breathe some life into Liverpool's A second Villa goal was coming and Liverpool could do nothing to stop it in the play and wrestle the initiative from Villa. And it paid dividends when Liverpool 54th minute. went ahead on the half-hour through this season's FA Cup specialist. Delph burst forward from the centre circle and played it into Benteke. His cheeky When Jordan Henderson burst into the box, Okore and then Delph both failed to back-heel found Grealish who then spotted Delph who had continued his run. properly clear, allowing Sterling to play a clever pass in to Coutinho who evaded Grealish’s carefully caressed pass was weighted perfectly and Delph simply side- Ron Vlaar's challenge and raced in between two defenders for a finish that stepped Dejan Lovren before slamming home. deflected off Okore on the way in. But the lead lasted just six minutes as Villa After getting their noses ahead the hard work then began. deservedly drew level. With Liverpool cut open down the right side of defence, Okore and Vlaar stepped up in the time of need to block, intercept and generally Delph had space to cut the ball back for the unmarked Benteke to sidefoot home frustrate the life out of Liverpool’s limp strikeforce. from 10 yards. It was Villa's first goal in an FA Cup semi-final for almost 60 years. Then on 86 minutes Kieran Richardson cleared a Steven Gerrard header off the Lovren directed a free header wide from a corner but Liverpool were relieved to line as time ticked away. Balotelli had the ball in the back of the net a minute later but was ruled out for make it through to half-time without further concerns. Mario Balotelli's introduction after the interval for the disappointing Markovic prompted another offside. tactical tweak, but Villa continued to press as Benteke saw a shot deflected When the final whistle blew 32,000 fans jumped for joy and savoured the moment. through to Mignolet. And they were ahead on 54 minutes. Jack Grealish, found 30 yards out by the breaking Benteke's clever backheel, fed Delph inside the area Villa: (4-5-1) Given, Bacuna, Baker (Okore, 24), Vlaar, Richardson, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley, Grealish, (Cole, 83) N’Zogbia, (Sinclair, 74) Benteke. and the Villa midfielder easily turned inside two defenders and finished beyond Mignolet. Villa were swarming all over a lifeless Liverpool, Moreno executing a Subs: Guzan, Weimann, Lowton, Gil. brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Benteke a certain goal. Liverpool: (3-5-2) Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Henderson, Kieron Richardson headed a Gerrard corner off the line from a Coutinho corner Gerrard, Markovic, (Balotelli, 46) Coutinho, Sterling and Balotelli wrongly had a goal chalked off for offside before heading a Subs: Jones, Johnson, Toure, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, STAR MAN: JACK GREALISH Henderson cross over the bar.

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 19 April 2015 Times Telegraph Echo 192015 April Opposition: Aston Villa Guardian Mirror Birmingham Mail

Competition: FA Cup Independent Mail BBC

Aston Villa will meet Arsenal in the FA Cup final after a thoroughly deserved win over a desperately disappointing Liverpool at Wembley. Villa's win was a triumph for manager Tim Sherwood as his side produced a performance of style, composure and grit to come from behind and reach their first FA Cup final since their loss to Chelsea in 2000. As a consequence there will be no dream finale to his Liverpool career for Steven Gerrard. The Reds skipper, who will join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in the summer, was hoping to make a final appearance for the club in an FA Cup final scheduled to take place on 30 May, his 35th birthday. Philippe Coutinho clipped Liverpool into the lead but the dangerous Christian Benteke levelled before half-time and Villa scored the winner their display fully merited through Fabian Delph's cool finish nine minutes after the break. Lethargic Liverpool mounted a rally of sorts late on when Kieran Richardson cleared off the line from Liverpool captain Gerrard and half-time substitute Mario Balotelli was dubiously ruled offside when he had the ball in the net. Villa, however, were not to be denied and the final whistle sparked scenes of joy among players and supporters alike. The normally animated Sherwood had been calm on the touchline throughout but all his emotions poured out as he celebrated another trip to Wembley on 30 May, on top of moving Villa towards Premier League safety. The ex-Spurs manager, who replaced sacked Paul Lambert in February, has overseen a superb rejuvenation at Villa Park. Villa had giants all over the pitch, particularly in the shape of Benteke and the gifted 19-year-old Jack Grealish, who played with a calm that belied his years in this hothouse atmosphere. Liverpool, in contrast, were dismal and once again failed to deliver when the big occasion demanded - which will be a matter of great concern to manager Brendan Rodgers. Villa were bristling and business-like whereas Liverpool were timid with little seen of Raheem Sterling, who let the occasion pass him by. Gerrard was recalled, as expected, but his influence was virtually non-existent in a first half where Villa were the more relaxed and confident side, exemplified by the strolling composure of Grealish and the power of Benteke. Villa were forced into a change when injured centre-half Nathan Baker was replaced by Jores Okore and, while they were adjusting, Liverpool took the lead against the run of play after 30 minutes. Okore's touch was uncertain and when some order emerged from the penalty box chaos Coutinho provided a calm finish past Shay Given. Liverpool's lead lasted only six minutes and Villa's equaliser came from a predictable source as Benteke sidefooted past his fellow Belgian Simon Mignolet after the industrious Delph worked an exchange with Grealish. The concerns of Rodgers had been underlined by an early change from a back three to a four and there were more adjustments at half-time as Mario Balotelli replaced Lazar Markovic and Gerrard was dropped into a deeper role. Villa simply continued as they were and were ahead 11 minutes after the restart when Grealish was again involved, setting up Delph to finish despite the despairing lunges of Dejan Lovren and Mignolet. Liverpool just about mounted a gallop as time ran out - but this was Villa's day and deservedly so.

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 19 April 2015 Times Telegraph Echo 192015 April Opposition: Aston Villa Guardian Mirror Birmingham Mail

Competition: FA Cup Independent Mail BBC

Full time Match ends, Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1. 34:31 Joe Allen (Liverpool wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00+4:01Full time Second Half ends, Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1. 30:58 Foul by Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa. 90:00+3:07 Attempt missed. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the 30:58 Joe Allen (Liverpool wins a free kick in the attacking half. box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Mario Balotelli. 29:43Goal scored Goal!Goal! Aston Villa 0, Liverpool 1. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool 90:00+1:38 Attempt missed. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool header from the centre of the right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jordan Henderson with a cross. Raheem Sterling. 90:00+0:40 Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool right footed shot from the left 28:35 Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Leandro Bacuna. side of the box is too high. Assisted by Emre Can with a headed pass. 27:45 Foul by Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa. 90:00+0:01Substitution SubstitutionSubstitution, Liverpool. Rickie Lambert replaces 27:45 Alberto Moreno (Liverpool wins a free kick in the defensive half. Alberto Moreno. 25:40Substitution SubstitutionSubstitution, Aston Villa. Jores Okore replaces Nathan 88:50 Offside, Liverpool. Steven Gerrard tries a through ball, but Emre Can is caught Baker because of an injury. offside. 24:27 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 87:36 Offside, Liverpool. Steven Gerrard tries a through ball, but Mario Balotelli is 23:32 Delay in match Nathan Baker (Aston Villa because of an injury. caught offside. 23:10 Offside, Aston Villa. Kieran Richardson tries a through ball, but Christian Benteke 85:53 Attempt blocked. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool header from the centre of the box is is caught offside. blocked. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho with a cross. 22:27 Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Alberto Moreno. 85:35 Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Jores Okore. 21:47 Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa wins a free kick in the attacking half. 83:50 Attempt missed. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool header from the centre of the box is too 21:47 Foul by Raheem Sterling (Liverpool. high. Assisted by Steven Gerrard with a cross following a corner. 21:02 Offside, Liverpool. Simon Mignolet tries a through ball, but Raheem Sterling is 83:30 Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Kieran Richardson. caught offside. 83:01Substitution SubstitutionSubstitution, Aston Villa. Joe Cole replaces Jack Grealish. 19:48 Foul by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa. 80:42 Attempt missed. Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa right footed shot from outside the box 19:48 Emre Can (Liverpool wins a free kick on the right wing. is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Christian Benteke. 16:25 Hand ball by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool. 79:56 Attempt saved. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the box 13:26 Offside, Liverpool. Martin Skrtel tries a through ball, but Raheem Sterling is caught is saved in the top centre of the goal. offside. 79:21Booking Fabian Delph (Aston Villa is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 12:39 Offside, Aston Villa. Leandro Bacuna tries a through ball, but Charles N'Zogbia is 78:51 Foul by Fabian Delph (Aston Villa. caught offside. 78:51 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool wins a free kick in the attacking half. 11:52 Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Simon Mignolet. 77:08Substitution SubstitutionSubstitution, Liverpool. Glen Johnson replaces Joe Allen. 11:47 Attempt saved. Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa left footed shot from outside the box 76:39 Offside, Liverpool. Dejan Lovren tries a through ball, but Mario Balotelli is caught is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Fabian Delph. offside. 9:52 Attempt blocked. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the 75:50 Delay over. They are ready to continue. box is blocked. Assisted by Lazar Markovic. 74:50 Delay in match Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa because of an injury. 8:33 Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Martin Skrtel. 74:41Substitution SubstitutionSubstitution, Aston Villa. Scott Sinclair replaces Charles 7:09 Attempt missed. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the N'Zogbia. box misses to the left. Assisted by Raheem Sterling. 73:58 Offside, Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho tries a through ball, but Raheem Sterling is 6:11 Attempt missed. Joe Allen (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the box is high caught offside. and wide to the right. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho. 72:43 Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Ron Vlaar. 4:07 Foul by Kieran Richardson (Aston Villa. 72:12 Attempt blocked. Joe Allen (Liverpool left footed shot from outside the box is 4:07 Lazar Markovic (Liverpool wins a free kick on the right wing. blocked. 1:58 Foul by Emre Can (Liverpool. 71:32 Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Kieran Richardson. 1:58 Jack Grealish (Aston Villa wins a free kick in the attacking half. 68:42 Offside, Aston Villa. Fabian Delph tries a through ball, but Christian Benteke is 1:30 Alberto Moreno (Liverpool wins a free kick in the defensive half. caught offside. 1:30 Foul by Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa. 65:45 Foul by Jores Okore (Aston Villa. 0:00 First Half begins. 65:45 Mario Balotelli (Liverpool wins a free kick on the left wing. 0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up. 65:08 Foul by Leandro Bacuna (Aston Villa.

65:08 Raheem Sterling (Liverpool wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64:50 Foul by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa. 64:50 Emre Can (Liverpool wins a free kick in the defensive half. 62:14 Offside, Liverpool. Alberto Moreno tries a through ball, but Mario Balotelli is caught offside. 61:11 Attempt missed. Kieran Richardson (Aston Villa right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. 59:44 Jack Grealish (Aston Villa wins a free kick in the attacking half. 59:44 Foul by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool. 55:00 Offside, Liverpool. Emre Can tries a through ball, but Mario Balotelli is caught offside. 53:45Goal scored Goal!Goal! Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1. Fabian Delph (Aston Villa right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jack Grealish. 52:04 Attempt saved. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Leandro Bacuna with a cross. 51:22 Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa wins a free kick on the right wing. 51:22 Foul by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool. 50:21 Foul by Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa. 50:21 Dejan Lovren (Liverpool wins a free kick in the defensive half. 49:06 Attempt missed. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho. 46:51 Attempt missed. Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jack Grealish. 45:00 Second Half begins Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 1. 45:00Substitution SubstitutionSubstitution, Liverpool. Mario Balotelli replaces Lazar Markovic. 45:00+2:02Half time First Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 1. 44:59 Offside, Aston Villa. Shay Given tries a through ball, but Christian Benteke is caught offside. 40:16 Attempt missed. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Steven Gerrard with a cross following a corner. 39:58 Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Ashley Westwood. 39:39 Attempt blocked. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Raheem Sterling. 35:22Goal scored Goal!Goal! Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 1. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Fabian Delph. 34:31 Foul by Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa.

Compiled by Graeme Riley